Celebrity culture and the perils of war collide in an updated take on a Greek tragedy.

West Texas A&M University will stage “Iphigenia 2.0” beginning Thursday, Nov. 8, a modernization of the ancient “Iphigenia at Aulis” by Greek playwright Euripides.

Instead of being set in the lead-up to the Trojan War, the 2.0 version by Charles Mee is set in the modern day, with a nation’s commander-in-chief being forced into an unimaginable decision not by the gods, but by his own men.

Agamemnon (Eric Harrison), bowing to the demands of his men, agrees to offer up his daughter Iphigenia (Lauren Bowler) as a sacrifice to prove that he understands the costs of war.

“One of the major dramatic questions is is this feasible,” director Stephen Crandall said. “We’re trying to portray Agamemnon as a current political leader. Would he be willing to make that kind of decision in today’s world, and would it be accepted?”

It’s a tough call, Harrison said.

“I love the passion that every character has to show to prove what they believe in,” Harrison said. “They’re all fighting for something.”

“They remind me of current reality TV shows and our obsession with fame.”

Indeed, Iphigenia acquiesces to being her father’s sacrifice because it will make her “immortal. More than famous, immortal.”

Mee’s script also calls for an “experimental and experiential” style of staging, Crandall said, noting it samples contemporary dialogue and references, music and dance that “intentionally interrupt the story to comment on our current society.”